Dominant defense and Manning's 3 TD passes send No. 11 Texas past Mississippi State 31-3

AUSTIN, Texas -- , Arch Manning passed for three touchdowns , Maraad Watson returned a fumble 61 yards for a score just before halftime and No. 11 Texas beat Mississippi State 31-3 on Saturday night. Texas (6-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) also got another dominant defensive effort to stay in the thick of the SEC title chase. The Longhorns have won twice in a row after dropping consecutive midseason games. “I don’t know what our potential is. We're a growing team that continues to find ways to win,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. After completing a three-game homestand, the Longhorns will play three of their last four regular-season games on the road. “I think we still have better football out there that we have to go out and play,” Sarkisian said. Manning connected with Cam Coleman from 14 yards out for Texas' first touchdown on the fourth play of the night.